Methods, systems, and computer products for download status notification

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and computer products for download notification including identifying content for download, requesting a download of the content to a device and requesting a notification related to the status of the download.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to programming services, andmore particularly, to methods, systems, and computer products fornotifying a user when a requested download session from a contentprovider has been complete.

In order for a user to utilize web content, the content must bedownloaded from a network server to a content receiving/presentingdevice. The content receiving device generally presents the content tothe user, or processes the content for some purpose. Originally,Internet content included text and static images, which were displayedby a browser program running on a personal computer or workstation.Information was often provided over a low speed dial-up connection.

As Internet uses have grown, the types of content have increased (e.g.,audio and video), and the types of presentation devices have alsoincreased (e.g., cell-phones, pocket PC, wireless PDA, iPOD®, etc.) Inaddition, a variety of Internet access networks at a variety of speedsare available, including digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, wirelesslocal area networks (WLAN or Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), etc. Thelength of time required to transfer a complete item of content isproportional to the size and nature of the file, and inverselyproportional to the speed of the data connection, and the processingpower of the sending and receiving devices. Today's users expect contentand broadband providers to provide content (video, audio, images,software updates) in a timely manner. However, as content grows morecomplex (e.g., HDTV), and networks more crowded, downloads to somedevices may not be immediate. In some cases, a less expensive,lower-speed download may be an acceptable choice. Unless the user sitsstaring at the destination device, the user may not be aware when thecontent has been downloaded and is ready for use.

In some cases, the presentation device can begin to present the databeing downloaded, after a short initial buffering period. But in othercases, the complete content must be downloaded before presentation orprocessing can start. In still other cases, the user may simply preferto download the file for later use, in the way that a Netflix® userorders movies for later use, for example.

What is needed, therefore, is a way to notify a user when a downloadrequest is complete and that the requested content is now available foruse.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments include a download notification method, includingidentifying content for download, requesting a download of the contentto a device and requesting a notification related to the status of thedownload.

Additional exemplary embodiments a download notification system coupledto a network, including a presentation device for receiving anotification related to a content download and a download notificationapplication residing on at least one of the network, the presentationdevice and a content services provider device, the download notificationapplication having instructions to identify the presentation device,monitor the download and send a notification to the presentation deviceupon a download event.

Further exemplary embodiments include a computer program product forproviding download notification services, the computer program productincluding instructions for implementing a method, including identifyinga device for receiving downloaded content, identifying a presentationdevice for receiving a notification related to the downloaded content,determining a location from which notification is sent, communicatingwith a notification server to receive notification preferences relatedto the downloaded content, monitoring the downloading process of thedownloaded content and sending a download notification to thepresentation device in response to a download event on the device forreceiving the downloaded content.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, be within thescope of the exemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanyingclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alikein the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system in which downloadnotification services may be implemented in accordance with exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system in which downloadnotification services may be implemented in accordance with exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram describing processes for implementingpresentation device selection services in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram describing processes for implementingpresentation device selection services in exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram describing a process for implementing downloadnotification services in exemplary embodiments;

The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, exemplary embodiments include methods and systems thatnotify a user who has requested a download session when a downloadsession has stopped. Further, in accordance with exemplary embodiments,service for customer notification via email, SMPP or other alerts when arequested download session form a content provider has been successfullycompleted to any receiving device (e.g., cell-phone, smart phone, PDA,laptop, desk top, etc.) are provided. A similar notification can be madeif the download is unsuccessful. Exemplary embodiments apply to caseswhen a complete file must be downloaded in order to properly process orotherwise use, and the transfer time is greater than the user wants towait for completion. Further exemplary embodiments include a method fordetecting the initiation of a file transfer, waiting for termination ofthe file transfer, and notifying the user that the transfer hasterminated. In one implementation, detection occurs at the server end.In another implementation, detection occurs at the client end. Inanother implementation, detection occurs in the transport network.Exemplary embodiments further include a system that notifies the userwhenever the transfer of the content (e.g., a movie, album, song,ring-tone, etc.) has stopped. The stop may be normal completion, or itmay be due to an error.

As discussed, the systems and methods described herein can notify a userwhen the transfer time is greater than the user wants to wait forcompletion. For example, for a large file such as a movie, a user can benotified via a notification application when the movie has downloaded.As such, the user can direct his attention to another task while themovie is downloading and be notified once the download is complete. Inanother example, if the user has a low-speed less-expensive transfermethod for any type of file, the notification application can beimplemented to alert the user. In another example, a network operatorcould provide a transport service that uses idle network capacity, andcan, in one instance, implement “trickle charging,” to deliver a fileprior to a desired time of receipt. The term “trickle charging” refersto automated background downloading of content which is stored near theuser, e.g. on the user's premises or a nearby network element, for lateruse. Content may be trickle-charged following an explicit request by auser, or may be “pushed” toward the user as a result of a networkprediction that many users in an area may desire to view said contentsimultaneously. Trickle charging can be implemented to manage contentdistribution across networks with finite carrying capacity.

The term “file” is used to include one or more files used to compose acomplete item of content, such as the video, audio, andclosed-captioning files that make up a movie, etc. The nature of thefile(s) being transferred may affect the transfer speed if compressionschemes are in use—some files are more “compressible” than others.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of system 100 in which notificationservice to a user, when a requested download session from a contentprovider has been complete, is provided. System 100 generally includescontent services provider 105 in communication with presentation device150 via network 115. In exemplary implementation, a notificationapplication 175 can be made available to the content service provider105, the network 115, and the presentation device 150. Notificationapplication 175 facilitates the notification service to a user when arequested download session from a content provider is complete.

In exemplary embodiments, content services provider 105 is implementedby a host system (e.g., a high-speed processing device) that providescontent to its customers (e.g., a user of presentation device 150), suchas television programs, premium programming services, video on demandcontent, and Internet/Web content (e.g., pod-casts, streaming media,etc.), ring-tones, audio files (e.g., songs, albums, etc.). System 100can be used for applications that include large files that can take along time to download. In exemplary embodiments, the provided content istransmitted to customers via a broadband connection over an InternetProtocol (IP)-based network (e.g., network 115). In other exemplaryembodiments, system 100 can also be used for applications in which, eventhough the host system is capable of high-speed data transfer, the userimplementing presentation device 150, is only capable of low-speed datatransfer. System 100 can further include storage device 106 that iscommunicatively coupled to the content services provider 105 (e.g., viaphysical cabling or wireless means). Additionally, storage device 106may be in communication with content services provider 105 via one ormore networks (e.g., network 115). Storage device 106 may storeprogramming content, as well as programming schedules for the content.In exemplary embodiments, storage device 106 stores records ofprogramming events, and notification events, scheduled for transmissionto customers, such as presentation device 150. Content from contentservices provider 105 can be from a variety of content sources (e.g.,motion picture industry, television networks, Internet-based contentproviders, etc.)

Storage device 106 can be communicatively coupled to the contentservices provider 105 (e.g., via physical cabling or wireless means).Additionally, storage device 106 may be in communication with contentservices provider system 105 via one or more networks (e.g., network115). In one implementation, storage device 106 can include a pluralityof downloadable content and can be rendered on presentation device 150,which can be via set top box 160, discussed further in the descriptionbelow. In other embodiments, content can include play lists that caninclude programming content, as well as programming schedules for thecontent (e.g., onscreen programming guide information). In exemplaryembodiments, the storage device 120 stores records of programming eventsscheduled for transmission to customers, such as program receivingdevice 150. This transmission can be for immediate download or may beavailable at a future date, and as discussed further below, be providedvia trickle charging. These records, in turn, include downloadinformation that is utilized by download notification application 175.

As discussed above, presentation device 150 can be any variety ofdevices that can be used to download, render and process content. In anexemplary implementation, presentation device 150 can be network-enabledand can include, but is not limited to: television (TV); InternetProtocol television (IPTV); cell-phone; smart-phone; PDA; wireless PDA;laptop; desktop; pocket PC; iPOD®, etc. Presentation device 150 mayinclude display screen 155 for viewing or other rendering of contentprovided by the content services provider system 105 and selected by auser. As described, current program content refers to an applicationhaving a large file that can take a period of time to download for whicha user is not willing to wait. Display screen 155 includes the abilityto display multiple windows such that a user can view a desired window,such as a window playing a movie, and still be able to view anotification window or other notification indication such as anon-screen icon or audible indicator, which can be displayed upon thenotification of a download status, as discussed further in thedescription below.

Program receiving device 150 can also include auxiliary devices, such asset top box 160, personal video recorder (PVR) 165, and device 170,which can be a remote control, cellular phone, PDA, etc. In otherexemplary embodiments, described further below, device 170 can beanother presentation device similar to presentation device 150. Set topbox 165 provides a connection between the presentation device 150 andexternal sources of signals, converting the signals into content that isdisplayed on a screen of presentation device 150. Where presentationdevice 150 is receiving IPTV content, set top box 165 includes acomputer that provides bi-directional communications between network 115and presentation device 150 and decodes the video streaming mediareceived as content programming and onscreen programming informationfrom content services provider system 105. Device 170 can includeoptions (e.g., interface) enabled by the notification for selecting anapplication that is capable of notifying the user that a download iscomplete. PVR 165 can be communicatively coupled to presentation device150 and records programming as configured by a user of the presentationdevice 150. In exemplary embodiments, downloads can be coupled topresentation device 150 and PVR 165 such that a download can be tricklecharged not only to presentation device 150 but also to PVR 165. Assuch, movies and other files and applications can be pre-provided tocustomers prior to a release date such that the file is available to theuser on the release date. A download notification can then be sent tothe user that the movie or file is now available for use. In anotherimplementation, if the content services provider has trickle charged afile to a user in anticipation of a release date, but the file hascompletely downloaded prior to the release date, the content servicesprovider can delay notification until the release date.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments, network 115 is an IP-basednetwork that transmits programming content from content servicesprovider system 105 to customers, such as program receiving device 150via a data connection. Network 115 may be implemented in a wirelessfashion, e.g., using wireless protocols and technologies, such as WiFi,WiMax, etc.

As mentioned above, system 100 further includes download notificationapplication 175. Download notification application 175 is configured tomonitor download progress and notify the user who requested a downloadof the download success or failure. Download notification application175 and related download notification enabled services may beimplemented as a single program executing on one of content servicesprovider 105, network 115 and presentation device 150, or may beseparate physical or logical components that interact via, e.g., anapplication programming interface or other technique. In general,download notification application 175 can reside in a number oflocations within system 100 and uses existing network resources for thenotification services. In exemplary embodiments, download notificationapplication 175 can reside on content services provider system 105. Inother exemplary embodiments, download notification application 175 canreside on network 115. In further exemplary embodiments, downloadnotification application 175 can reside on presentation device. Theseexemplary embodiments and others are now described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system 200 in which downloadnotification services may be implemented in accordance with exemplaryembodiments. Similar to as described above, system 200 includes contentservices provider 105 in communication with presentation device 150 vianetwork 115. Storage device 106 is coupled to content services provider105. Notification application 175 facilitates the notification serviceto a user when a requested download session from a content provider iscomplete. The dashed lines connected between notification application175 and each of content services provider 105, network 115, andpresentation device 150 are illustrated to indicate that notificationapplication 175 can reside on any of the aforementioned. Three exemplarylocations in which notification application 175 can reside are discussedabove, that is, content services provider 105, network 115 andpresentation device 150. Regardless of the location of notificationapplication 175, a user can utilize notification application 175 inconjunction with a download session to receive a notification of whenthe download has completed.

FIG. 2 further illustrates notification server 205 coupled to network115 and in communication with notification application 175. System 200can further include storage device 206 coupled to notification server205. In an exemplary embodiment, storage device 206 can be anotification repository, which can be or previously has been populatedwith notification preferences and notification devices onto which auser, having access to notification server 205, has provided and desiresto be notified upon a completion (download) event, as discussed furtherin the description below.

It is appreciated that content services provider 105 and contentrecipient, presentation device 150, are mutually aware of a filetransfer transaction, since that have agreed on an acceptable transfermethod. Often, the size of the transfer is communicated form the sourceof the file, that is, content services provider 1205, to thedestination, that is, presentation device 150. Using this file sizeinformation, either end of the transaction can detect when a successfultransfer has completed. In addition, the transport network, that isnetwork 115, may be able to monitor the file transfer informationexchanged between the source and the destination. Armed with thisinformation, network 115 can also detect the end of a file transfer.Therefore, it is also appreciated that notification application canreside and be utilized by any of the three aforementioned locations.

It is appreciated that under certain circumstances, network 115 may notbe able to monitor the details of the file transfer request (e.g., ifthe details are encrypted), but network 115 may still be able todetermine that a file transfer is taking place by analyzing the source,destination, and traffic patterns of a series of packets. There may alsobe circumstances in which network 115 is completely unable to detect thebeginning and the end of a file transfer.

In any of the cases described, and in other cases, if a transfer stops,whether at a successful conclusion, or due to a fault of some sort, thedetecting system (e.g., content service provider 105, network 115,presentation device 150, etc.) can send a message to notification server205 to alert the subscriber. If the status of the transfer is known(e.g., successful, stopped for unknown reason, etc.), the status can beincluded in the notification. For example, a notification message can bethat the download is successful. In addition, in many circumstances adownload may only be usable, such as a movie file protected by certaindigital rights management systems, when the download is complete.Therefore a notification can first include a message that the entirefile is required before use and then a download complete notificationcan be sent to the user upon complete file download. In another example,if a file can be viewable when a certain amount of the file has beenbuffered, a first notification message can alert the user that when acertain buffer is attained, the file is usable. Then when that buffer isreached, the user can further be notified that use (e.g., viewing) isnow possible. In still other examples, if a download is unsuccessful, auser can be notified. Specific notification messages can be includedsuch as the reason, including a lost connection with the contentservices provider, etc. The aforementioned download events and othernotification information such as but not limited to: file size, transferrate, transfer time, etc., are contemplated in various embodiments andimplementations known in the art.

Therefore, in exemplary embodiments, detection can be accomplished inmany locations via systems 100, 200. In an exemplary embodiment, a usercan configure notification application 175 at the particular locationfor a given transaction or for a series of related transactions. Forexample, a user can configure his own IPTV for download notificationpreferences for a given movie download from a particular provider.Similarly, the user can configure the download notification preferencesfor that particular provider for every movie that is downloadedpresently and in the future. In another exemplary embodiment,notification server 205 can be exploited and pre-populated with downloadnotification preferences based on service plans, etc. Notificationserver 205 therefore maintains notification destinations and preferencesfor each associated user. Notification server 205 may be used toindicate multiple events on a variety of devices such as presentationdevice 150, based on the user's selected preferences, time of day,nature of notification, etc. For example, notification server 205 may beused to light a light on a landline telephone (which is this case ispresentation device 150), and send an email to a pager (which in thiscase is an additional presentation device 170), to indicate a new voicemail. In another example, notification server 205 might activate adesktop client and place a phone call to indicate that a new urgentemail message has arrived. In still another example, notification server205 may send a short message service (SMS) message to a cell phone toindicate a download status.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram describing processes for implementingpresentation device selection services in exemplary embodiments. Twoexemplary methods 300, 350 are illustrated. It is appreciated that othermethods are possible. In a first method 300, a notification server, suchas notification server 205 has been pre-populated with notificationpreferences based on, for example, a service plan. Therefore, at step305, when a user has requested a download notification service (see FIG.4), the notification application 175, regardless of where it resides(e.g., the three aforementioned locations) queries the notificationserver 205. In response to this notification at step 305, the selectedpresentation device is selected for notification at step 310. In oneimplementation, a user can at times, change notification preferences viaa presentation device or another device that is in communication withthe user's service plan provider.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram describing processes for implementingpresentation device selection services in exemplary embodiments. In asecond method 350, a user can on a per-transaction basis select thepresentation device. For example, each time a user logs into a movieprovider service, the user can select a presentation device fornotification. Therefore, at step 355, the user configures thenotification application 175 via the particular provider service. Inresponse to this notification at step 355, the selected presentationdevice is selected for notification at step 360. In one implementation,a user can change notification preferences via a presentation device oranother device that is in communication with the particular serviceprovider or application.

It is appreciated that the choice of the presentation device fornotification can be an on-going process, in which the user canperiodically change the presentation device. It is also appreciated thatthe selected presentation device may not be the same device onto whichthe desired download is accomplished. For example, a user may use a cellphone as a remote control for his TV. Therefore, the cell phone isdevice 170 and the TV is presentation device 150. As such, the user mayorder a movie via either device 170 or presentation device 150 and inturn select either device 170 or presentation device 150 as thenotification presentation device. Similarly, the user may be ordering adownload for a child and does not have a concern about being notifiedabout such a download. Therefore, a user can order a download via device170 for download onto presentation device 150, in which case is a TV orIPTV, for example. Then the user can specify yet a third device as thenotification presentation device. Using the same example, a user canfurther specify his device 170 as a notification device if the child isordering a download via a third device. In this way, a user can specifythat device 170 be a presentation device for a download. In a specificexample, a user can specify to be notified when particular content isdownloaded, such as an R-rated movie, a song with explicit lyrics or anentertainment software rating board (ESRB) M-rated game, etc. Therefore,it is appreciated that download notifications can take several forms andbe spread out over several different devices.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram describing a process 400 for implementingdownload notification services in exemplary embodiments. As discussedabove, a user can request a download at step 405. In general, at step410 a notification application 175 also launches. It is appreciated thatregardless of the location of the notification application 175, thenotification application 175 may have been previously launched orlaunches simultaneously with a download request as needed. At step 420,the notification application 175 monitors the download. As discussedabove, the notification application 175 can send a first notification toalert the user of the type of download. For example, if the download iscapable of viewing after a certain buffer is attained, then notificationapplication 175 can first alert the user that the download will beviewable after a certain buffer. The download then continues at step425. At step 430, if the download is not complete the notificationapplication 175 continues to monitor the download at step 420.Generally, at this point the notification application 175 does notnotify the user of any progress. However, in another implementation, thenotification application 175 can be configurable to periodically notifythe user as of the progress and can ask the user if the user desires tochange any preferences at that point, or even cease the download. Inanother example, the user could also reconfigure notificationapplication 175 to specify a new presentation device for notification orviewing.

Referring still to FIG. 4, at step 430 if the download is complete thenthe notification application alerts the user via the presentationdevice. As discussed earlier with respect to FIG. 3, the presentationdevice was previously selected at steps 310, 360. In general, the userreceives the downloaded content, and at approximately the same time,receives the notification at step 435. In another implementation (notshown in the figure), the download at step 440 could be completedfollowing a response from the user that he desires to complete thedownload after being previously notified of the download progress.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it is therefore appreciated that contentservices provider 105 includes a media server capable of providing filesand applications to a specified device, such as presentation device 150or device 170, or other contemplated device. For example, movie servicescan be provided to a TV via set top box 160 of all subscribers to thecontent services. Content services provider 105, network 115 andpresentation device 150, are all capable of running notificationapplication 175 and therefore, being the driving device for notificationapplication 175. In general, the methods 300, 350, 400 monitor theuser's activity to make on-going decisions whether or not downloads andrelated notifications are requested.

As described above, the exemplary embodiments can be in the form ofcomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing thoseprocesses. The exemplary embodiments can also be in the form of computerprogram code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such asfloppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readablestorage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded intoand executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus forpracticing the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can alsobe in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored ina storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, ortransmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executedby a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such asover electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or viaelectromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code isloaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatusfor practicing the exemplary embodiments. When implemented on ageneral-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segmentsconfigure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying outthis invention, but that the invention will include all embodimentsfalling within the scope of the claims. Moreover, the use of the termsfirst, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but ratherthe terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element fromanother. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote alimitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least oneof the referenced item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A download notification method, comprising:identifying a movie for download by a user device; requesting, by theuser device, a download of the movie to the user device; configuring anotification application of the user device to provide a notification toa user related to a status of the download, wherein the notificationapplication is operative to monitor the status of the download; beforethe download is complete, receiving at the user device an alert in anotification message for display to the user on a display of the userdevice, in which the notification message indicates that the downloadwill be viewable on the user device when a certain buffer is attainedprior to completion of the download; and during the download and whilethe notification application monitors the download, receiving an alertin another notification message for display on the display of the userdevice in a notification window, in which the another notificationmessage asks on the display of the user device whether the user desiresto change notification preferences at that point for notifying the userabout the status of the download of the movie; the notificationpreferences being an identification of a notification device upon whichthe user desires to receive display of the status of the download of themovie including a progress of the download, successful conclusion, andstopped; wherein the notification device to receive display of thestatus of the download of the movie is initially the user device, andthe user configures the notification application to change the displayof the status of the download of the movie from the user deviceinitially used to a new notification device.
 2. The method as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising receiving at the user device an alert in adifferent notification message for display to the user responsive to thecertain buffer being attained but before the download is complete, inwhich the different notification message indicates that the download isnow viewable; wherein the notification message, the another notificationmessage, and the different notification message are via email.
 3. Themethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein the notification message furthercomprises displaying to the user on the user device a successfuldownload in an event of the successful download, displaying to the useron the user device transfer stopped due to a fault in an event thetransfer stopped due to the fault, displaying to the user on the userdevice stopped for unknown reason when stopped for the unknown reason,and displaying to the user on the user device the certain buffer isattained such that the download is viewable in an event the certainbuffer is attained.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein thenotification is related to an unsuccessful download.
 5. The method asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising receiving the movie of thedownload.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprisingreceiving the notification that the download of the movie is successful.7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising requesting thatthe notification related to the status of the download is received in apresentation device.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein theuser device receiving the download is the presentation device.
 9. Themethod as claimed in claim 7 wherein the presentation device is coupledto the user device receiving the download.
 10. The method as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising receiving the notification from anotification server via a network.
 11. A download notification systemcoupled to a network, comprising: a presentation device for receiving anotification related to a download of a movie; and a downloadnotification application residing on the presentation device, thedownload notification application having instructions to: identify thepresentation device; monitor the download of the movie to thepresentation device; receive the notification to the presentation deviceupon a download event for the movie; before the download is complete,receive at the presentation device an alert in a notification messagefor display to a user on a display of the presentation device, in whichthe notification message indicates that the download will be viewable onthe presentation device when a certain buffer is attained prior tocompletion of the download; and during the download of the movie andwhile the download notification application monitors the download of themovie, receive an alert in another notification message for display in anotification window on the display of the presentation device, in whichthe another notification message asks on the display of the presentationdevice whether the user desires to change notification preferences atthat point for notifying the user about the status of the download ofthe movie; the notification preferences being an identification of anotification device upon which the user desires to receive display ofthe status of the download of the movie including a progress of thedownload, successful conclusion, and stopped; wherein the notificationdevice to receive display of the status of the download of the movie isinitially the user device, and the user configures the notificationapplication to change the display of the status of the download of themovie from the user device initially used to a new notification device.12. The system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a notificationserver coupled to the network, the notification server having thenotification preferences for notifying the presentation device of thestatus of the download.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 12 whereinthe notification application is in communication with the notificationserver to receive the notification preferences from the notificationserver.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the download eventis a successful download in an event of the successful download, anunsuccessful download in an event of the unsuccessful download, and apartial download in an event of the partial download.
 15. A computerprogram product, tangibly embodied on a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium, for providing download notification services, thecomputer program product including instructions for causing a computerto execute a method, comprising: identifying a presentation device forreceiving download of a movie; identifying the presentation device forreceiving a download notification related to the download of the movie;monitoring a downloading process of the download of the movie; sendingthe download notification to the presentation device in response to adownload event on the presentation device for receiving the download ofthe movie; before the downloading process is complete, sending to thepresentation device an alert in a notification message for display to auser on a display of the presentation device, in which the notificationmessage indicates that the download of the movie will be viewable on thepresentation device when a certain buffer is attained prior tocompletion of the download of the movie; and during the downloadingprocess, receiving an alert in another message for display in anotification window on the display of the presentation device, in whichthe another notification message asks on the display of the presentationdevice whether the user desires to change notification preferences atthat point for notifying the user about the status of the download ofthe movie; the notification preferences being an identification of anotification device upon which the user desires to receive display ofthe status of the download of the movie including a progress of thedownload, successful completion, and stopped; wherein the notificationdevice to receive display of the status of the download of the movie isinitially the presentation device, and the user configures thenotification application to change the display of the status of thedownload of the movie from the presentation device initially used to anew notification device.